Shoplifting from American Apparel
third person, but quasi-autobiographical:
“If I’m having a shitty gone with Sheila’s mum I think about writing it in my novel. I think about that the same time it’s happening.” “When I’m talking to someone I think ‘can I use this dialogue in a book’” said Luis. “If the answer is no I try talking to someone else.” (18-19)
image below: they’re barely protagonists; re: the date (21; 40)
even the titular shoplifting from American apparel results in the dude getting arrested > he’s not in control (26-7) // “He said he found your book on the toilet in the house he’s living in or something and read it and liked it. Then he walked around and found another one of your books on a picnic table and read it and liked it.” (51) // “They sat quietly for about ten seconds. There were faraway sounds of people doing things in other parts of town.” (103)
“who is they,” said Sam. “they is us,” said Luis (15) // “I want to change my novel to present tense,” said Sam. “Is there some Microsoft Word thing to do that.” (35)
already dated by the tech references: emphasis on email, gmail chat, eBay, Perfect Dark (14), MySpace (17-18); also emo music (19), Internet Explorer ;(35), Facebook (41), MySpace, Facebook, Fkickr, photobucket (50), AIM (58)
more optimism and idealism in poverty than there is today